Air Force Chief of Staff David Goldfein addressed the 2019 Defense Communities National Summit Tuesday in an afternoon question-and-answer session.
Below are a few highlights of Gen. Goldfein’s comments:
- On Quality of Life Issues: Goldfein emphasized that quality schools and military spouse employment are two major issues that drive decision-making by service members and their families. “As I visit installations, the number one quality of life issue of airmen with children is access to good schools,” Goldfein said. “As we make basing decisions and factor in quality of life issues, airmen are not going to stay if it means moving their kids from location to location and put them into schools without quality. First and foremost, communities’ investments for a quality school system are resources well invested.”
- On Spousal Employment and Retaining Families: Goldfein highlighted that the Air Force is a highly college-educated and family-oriented service which often means including two professionals in the household. “The more states and communities can do to allow spouses to easily re-license in his or her profession, the better for retention,” Goldfein said. “It really comes down to quality of service and quality of life – how to assure the entire service experience is as rich and fulfilling as possible.”
- On Defense Community Support: “Communities are already embracing and supporting our service members and their families,” Goldfein said. “Everything communities can do to support and embrace airmen and their families and welcome them as part of the community is important and appreciated. Again, if we can make the service experience as rich as possible it helps maintain retention and allows our service members to be a part of something bigger than themselves.”
ADC photo by Will Noonan
